3 Fun & Novel Teacher Gift Ideas

Here's three teacher gift ideas for the holidays which are fun to give, and useful to receive!

Does anyone else find it hard to get good teacher gifts- you know ones that are unique but still of use to the teacher? Pre-kids I was a teacher, and of course you are grateful for any gift. The fact your students and their parents have taken the time to acknowledge you is always humbling. But, especially around the holidays, there would always be a fair few boxes of chocolates piling up on teachers' desks. I've put together three ideas, all of which we have done in the past, and have been well received.

Desk Drawer Survival Kit

This one is such good fun to put together, and you can even get your kids involved too. I love using Bumkins bags to put lots of 'teacher survival' goodies inside that the teacher can keep in their desk drawer. These are only silly little gifts, but we all know how stressful it can get managing our own kids, let alone a class of 20 or 30! The Starbucks gift card and hand sanitizer are essential items!

Something New for the Class

Ok so at first this may seem a little odd. Why would a teacher want a gift not for them? When you become a teacher the last reason you do it is for the money. You do it because you get to be part of the most incredible journey of discovery with kids. Getting to be part of that is honestly so so special. Teachers often end up spending their own money to buy materials and resources for the class, because they are so committed to supporting their class' learning. So why not give something creative for the whole class to enjoy?!

This holiday season I'll be giving my son's kindergarten class a 24 pack of Kwik Stix to freshen up the art station (the mess free aspect of these paint sticks is key for teacher sanity!!). Previously I've also given a pack of Do A Dot markers and a selection of dot activity packs from the amazing @littleoneslearn on Instagram (these are digital so the teacher can use them over and over). Having some fun new activity sheets and materials on hand can not only inspire creativity for the kids, but it can also give the teacher that much needed ten minutes to prep for the next lesson.

Fresh & Fun Stationary Pack

Inevitably throughout the course of the academic year teachers get through quite a lot of stationary. It can be really fun to take your child to pick out some fresh and fun stationary that they think really suits their teacher. I did have to remind my son that perhaps his teacher isn't quite as big a Batman fan as he is! Put it altogether in a cute Bumkins bag, and it makes a really sweet gift, all the nicer for having been chosen by your child.

We always pair these gifts with a handmade card- the personal touch goes a long way! What is your favorite teacher gift? Do you get your kids involved in the selection process? I hope these ideas give you some inspiration!